Mr Chris Heywood
MSc (Pain) BSc (hons) MSCP HCPC reg
Advanced Physiotherapist
Year of Qualification: 2000
I am working on a new professional image however I am not really one for putting my hand up in photographic situations - hence I currently have slim pickings. People normally seek me out for my skills, not my looks! Ignoring the fact that I have a 'lock down' Grizzly Adams persona is this one, it does at lease show what I love to do in my down time!!!
About Me
First and foremost, I’m a very normal 46-year-old (as I write this) bloke who’s taken a slightly less typical path through the world of physiotherapy as explained further on. This has given me a significant amount of clinical experience and very high levels of care expectation that are perhaps not as common as you may hope, and have helped me think more laterally than most.
I’ve got a particular disdain for the kind of over-treatment and sales tactics that have crept into our profession. I don’t believe in offering sessions you don’t need, or dragging things out for the sake of repeat business. I’m honest and candid with all my private patients – sometimes to a fault – and I’d rather lose a client than mislead one. That’s probably why I live in a very normal house and lead a very normal life… not in a mansion built on patient loyalty schemes.
The Start
My journey into physiotherapy began in a small village between Wellingborough and Kettering, where I attended Sir Christopher Hatton School in Wellingborough.
Amusingly, whenever I bump into former teachers – either professionally or socially – the comment is often along the lines of, "You’ve done well, considering where you went to school." Personally, I always thought it was a good school, and I’m genuinely pleased to see it still thriving today.
I went on to study Physiotherapy at the Royal London Hospital, in partnership with the University of East London, completing my three-year degree and graduating in 2000. My early NHS career took me to hospitals across London and Essex, before I returned to Northamptonshire in 2003 to take up a role at the now long-gone Wellingborough Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic – my first step into private practice.
A Specialist Interest in Spine and Pain
I’ve always had a strong interest in spinal conditions – particularly lower back pain, which affects so many people yet is often poorly understood and managed. In 2006, I decided to build on that interest by enrolling in a Master’s Degree in Pain Management at the University of Leicester. At the time, I didn’t quite appreciate the commitment involved while also working full-time – but after two years of weekends and late nights, I completed the course and it proved one of the most valuable steps in my career.
In 2009, on the back of my growing clinical and academic experience, I was invited to join Consultant Spinal Specialist Mr Nick Birch as a Clinical Research Fellow at East Midlands Spine Ltd. During my time there, I played a key role in the GENODISC project – a major EU-funded research initiative led by Oxford University. The project explored the genetic factors that contribute to intervertebral disc degeneration and investigated potential future treatments, including stem cell therapy.
It was my first real insight into the minds of some of the best clinical and research teams in Europe and Canada – and a fascinating look at what was on the horizon for spinal care. Some of the ideas we explored have since become part of mainstream treatment; others are still in development more than a decade later.
I was offered my Phd by the department Genetics at Oxford University but having not long finished my Masters Degree, I turned this down through fear of divorce from my dear, and up to then, understanding wife.
Research and Innovation
I’m proud of the research I contributed to during that time, including multiple co-authored papers published in leading medical journals. After GENODISC, I continued to be involved in other exciting projects – including the RAPPER trial, a ground-breaking study into the use of robotic exoskeletons (developed by Rex Bionics) to help wheelchair users stand and walk again.
While much of this work focused on complex or specialist conditions, the lessons I learned – about rigour, innovation, and critical appraisal – influence how I approach every patient, whether they’re recovering from a disc injury or a simple sprain.
My Onward Clinical Experience
After Joining Nick Birch in 2009, alongside my research role, I continued to see patients in private practice – working for several years at Witty, Pask and Buckingham Physiotherapy, a well-established clinic in Northampton. There, I had the privilege of working alongside highly experienced physios with a wide range of backgrounds, which helped me broaden my own skill set – especially in sports injuries and rehabilitation.
In 2015, driven by a desire to create a more honest, patient-focused model of care, I established Team Rehab UK Ltd, which I ran until 2024 before stepping away to focus on new ventures and a more personal style of practice.
Today, I continue to provide advanced physiotherapy services in selected NHS primary care settings two days a week. In this role, I assess and diagnose patients, order investigations such as imaging and blood tests, and make appropriate referrals to specialists. This work keeps me firmly embedded in the wider healthcare system and up to date with current referral pathways and best practices.
The rest of my week is dedicated to private practice, where I offer longer, more in-depth appointments, and to the development of my educational website, which supports patients looking to better understand and manage their conditions.
A Glimpse into My Personal Life
I live in the Northamptonshire countryside with my wife and 15-year-old son. I’ve always been active – running, hiking, paddling – and for many years the outdoors has been both a personal challenge and a way to switch off. That changed in 2018, when I sustained a serious knee injury while training for the Fan Dance – a notoriously tough 25km race over Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons.
Two arthroscopies didn’t solve the issue, and eventually I had a robotic-assisted partial knee replacement age just 42, using MAKO technology at Stanmore Hospital. Going through that process – setbacks, slow recovery, and uncertainty – gave me a fresh perspective. It reshaped how I practice. I became more empathetic, more realistic, and more focused on what truly matters to people when they’re trying to get back to doing what they love.
Despite that detour, I still head to the Lake District whenever I can. Wild camping and walking remain some of the most physically and mentally rewarding things I do. I’m usually joined by my son and our oversized but very gentle Great Pyredane – a dog who brings equal parts joy and chaos to every trip. Whether we’re balancing on paddleboards, dragging canoes through shallows, or squeezing into a tiny two-man tent, those trips keep me grounded. They remind me why I do what I do: to help others keep moving, keep exploring, and keep doing what matters – whatever that looks like for them.
When I’m at home, I find a different kind of peace in the garden. There’s something satisfying about plants and structures that don’t need much from me – just a bit of weeding and the occasional drink.
At the other end of the spectrum, I’ve also got a bit of a geeky streak when it comes to digital design. In fact, all the artwork, graphics, and images you see on this website were created by me. I use tools like Zygote Body for the anatomical reference pages, and it scratches a creative itch that keeps another corner of my overactive brain happily occupied.
Candidness
I’m not going to finish by making false promises or guaranteeing quick fixes. The truth is, the human body is complex, and despite all our progress, medicine and rehabilitation are still actively evolving.
What I can promise is that I’ll work to the best of my ability. I’ll base everything we do on your goals and expectations – not mine – and I’ll be honest with you at every stage. No gimmicks, no false hope, just a straightforward, evidence-based approach tailored to you.
Contact Info
On a Monday and Tuesday I work as a specialist contractor but I can still be contacted for enquiries. You are welcome to call but it is often faster for me to reply via a contact form or watsapp message, simply as my phone will be on silent in clinic. Either way, I will reply as soon as possible, which in the week, is almost always on the same day at the latest.
Clinic Opening Hours
The Clinic is located at 2 Old Road, Scaldwell, Northants, NN6 9LA - More info
Mon - Tues
Weds - Fri
Sat -Sun
Closed for Contract Work
0900 - 1330
Closed (Family Time!)
** Please note that online sessions can sometimes be arranged outside of normal clinical hours on request.**